Oil-burning apparatus



Dec. 31, 1929. w, C, MCKESSQN 4,741,868

011. BURNING APPARATUS Filed Feb. l5, 1928 BY v 30 Ao EY.

Patented Dec. 31, 1929 WILLIAM C. MCKESSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS OILBURNING APPARATUS Application iled February 13, 1928. Serial No. 254,071.

My invention relates to the construction of oil burning apparatus in which tuel oil is entirely vaporized by heating under pressure and is then converted into highly combustible gas by introducing the vapor into an air jet or air blast at or near the entrance to the combuston chamber. The apparatus is so designed` that it utilizes natural forces in producing the required air blast without the aid ,10 of a blower or air compressor. Certain teatures ot the invention relate to means for regulating pressure ot' oil vapor in the generating chamber, ot removing obstructions in inlets or outlets which form from time to time during the operation ot the burner. The

means by which these and other beneiicial results are attained are shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical cross sectional view ci' the generator and equipment appurtenant thereto.

Figure 2 is a bottom view of the generator chamber. l

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the cleaner used in the main outlet from the gen i erating chamber.

Figure 4 is atop plan view ot an oil distributor' head.

Figure 5 is a side view of an impact cleaning and priming device.

Figure 6` is la view of the complete oil burning apparatus installed in a conventional term ot heating stove. Some of the wall ot the heater has been brolren away to better illustrate details ot construction and operation. y

rllhroughout the several views like characters indicate like parts.

Referring to the details of construction, 1

y is the generator chamber. This is preferably a single casting with openings to receive the plug 3 `which also serves as a support for a spreader 23, the outlet tubes 9 and 16. and the supporting rod 18. 2. indicates radiator r lins usually cast` integrally with generator casting. These tins are especially provided to absorb heat produced by the combustion of `gases and to transmit this heat to the generating chamber. They also serve in an incidental `way to strengthen the generator chamber temperature stresses.

4 is a scraper formed on the bottom of the plug 3. It is preferably pyramidal in shape. 5 is a distributor head rigidly secured to- 55 upper end of the inlet pipe 8. The scraper 4 rests in the circular inlet opening in the center of the distributor head and the generator and attached parts are supported thereon. rlhe generator head is free to rotate on the 60 scraper 4 as a pivot andlvvhen so rotated the edges of the scraper 4 remove accumulations ot carbon or other material from the inlet. 9. is a tubular vaporoutlet pipe held concentriewith reference to the inlet pipe 8 by the 65 generating chamber at the top and "by the ribbed collar 11 at the lower end. A tapered valve seat 10 is formed on the lower end of the vapor outlet pipe 9. y Y

The ribbed collar 11, in addition to serving as a spacer for preserving the proper spacing between the pipe 8 and the vapor outlet 9, also serves as a cleaner. When the generator is revolved on the scraper 4 the ribbed collar 11 remains stationary by reason et trictional 75 contact with the pipe 8. Any carbon deposits which may have accumulated around the valve seat 10 are broken loose by the ribs on the colla-r 11 and are blown away by the vapor escaping between the valve seat 10 and the 80 `valve seat cup 12. 12 is a cup shaped valve seat lnovably mounted on the inlet pipe 8 below the valve seat 10. It is supported by the lever nut 13 which, in turn, is threaded on the feed pipe 8. 14 is the handle on the lever nut 85 13. 15 is cup rigidly mounted on the inlet pipe 8.

16 is a second vapor outlet pipe rigidly connected at the upper end with the bottom of the generator chamber 1. The top of the pipe 16 should extend a small distance above the bottom ot' the generating chamber and above the top of vapor outlet pipe 9, as shown.

17 is a valve seat cup supported beneath and 95 in close proximity to the lower end of vapor outlet tube 16. 18 is a rod passing through the generator chamber and vapor outlet tube 16 which serves to support the cup 17. 19 is a nut threaded to tit the lower end ot the ico rod 18. This nut serves to raise and lower the cup 17.

In operation, heat is very intensive around the lower ends of the vapor outlets 9 and 16 and it is desirable to lill each ot the cups 12 and 17 with refractory substance, 21 and 20, such as lire clay or asbestos. 23 is a spreader, usually of clay or asbestos composition supported on the shoulder 22 on the plug 3 and adapted to dellect flame to the sides of the combustion chamber. 24 is a stove or heater of simple conventional design. 25 is an outlet liue for discharging gases of combustion. 26 is an adjustable air inlet by means of which the entrance of air to the feed chamber may be control-led and regulated. 27 is a perforated diaphragm dividing the interior of the stove into two compartments designated for convenience as the feed chamber and the combustion chamber, the latter' being above the diaphragm. An opening or perforation, 28, in the diaphragm permits the passage of air from the feed chamber to the combustion chamber. The feed pipe 8 passes through the opening 28 in thediaphragm and the generator is mounted direct-l i above it. The lighting cup 15 is usually just below the opening 28. 29 is an impact cleaner mounted in the inlet pipe 8 on the exterior of the combustion chamber. This cleaner consists olz a cylindrical chamber having convex flexible spring heads 80 which when suddenly compressed expel a portion of the oil within the cleaner, which oil escapes through the inlet pipe 8 into the generating chamber and in a vapor form into the combustion chamber.

31 is a needle valve ot` usual construction with an indicator and indicator scale 32 by which the degree to which the valve is opened may be readily determined by visual inspec* tion.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

Oil is admitted through the pipe 8, the quantity being regulated by the needle valve 31. The fuel passes into the generating chamber 1, aartially lilling it and overflowing through the vapor outlet pipe 9 to the valve seat cup 12 and, overflowing that in turn, falls to the cup 15. VThe oil is then ignited.

. Air entering the air inlet 26 is drawn around the cup of burning oil and up through the opening 28 in the diaphragm. The flames also ignite the oil in the cup 12 and the generating chamber above is soon heated sufliciently to vaporize the fuel oil remaining on its sloping bottom. This oil vapor passes down through the vapor outlet pipes 9 and 1G and the vapor mixing with the air blast ignites. The heat soon becomes sufficiently intense to vapoi'ize all of the oil entering the generating chamber and it is all discharged as vapor through the outlet pipes 9 and 16. The oil,

in entering the generator chamber, collects in the groove 6 and is carried out to the edge of the distributor head through the grooves 7. It is desirable that the bottom of the generating chamber be sloped away from the center and the oil is carried by gravity to the outer edge, where heat is most intense and where it remains until vaporized.

The openings between the valve seat 10 and the valve cup 12 and between the lower end of the vapor outlet tube 16 and the `valve cup 17 are adjusted by raising or lowering the cups by means of the adjusting nuts 13 and 19. The flow of gas is thus retarded until the vapor is held at desired pressure in the generator chamber. The gas escaping under pressure mixes readily with the air which enters in a blast through the opening 28 in the diaphragm. The back pressure on the oil in the inlet limits the pressure in the generating chamber 1. As the vapor pressure rises in the chaniber,the flow of iuel against this pressure is retarded and the decrease ot' fuel tends to decrease the amount ot' vapor and flame. In case ot accidental obstruction of the entire vapor flow through the vapor outlet pipes 9 and 1G, the back pressure of the vapor would quickly prevent oil from entering the chamber and combustion would stop for want of fuel. ln operation, a balance in pressures between the gen erating chamber and oil supply is secured by proper adjustment of the cup valve seats 12 and 17 in such manner as to permit the escape of vapor required for combustion and to maintain vapor pressure in the generator at a point somewhat lower than the pressure in the oil feed pipe 8. Generating vapor under pressure raises the boiling poi-nt of the fuel and insures thorough vaporization. Flaine from the burning mixture ot oil vapor .and air passes around the generator chamber maintaining a high temperature therein. The valve seat 10 is bevelled to facilitate the escape of gas and of carbon should any torni, i and the lower end of the pipe 16 is similarly formed. The valvel seat cups 12 and 17 are never raised to entirely close the ends of the outlet tubes 9 and 1G.

In the apparatus, as shown, only one vapor outlet is shown in addition to the central vapor outlet pipe 9. In large furnacesseveral of these vapor outlets 16 are required, arranged concentrically around the central outlet 9. They are constructed and controlled exactly as the outlet 16.

In practice, the outlet 16 and other like outlets, if any there be, areA lirst adjusted to the desired vapor opening above the valve cup 17. The cup 12 is adjusted to its approximate position. The generation of is started as described and after the burner is in full operation the lever 14 is moved and the cup 12 raised or lowered. As the opening between the valve seat cup and valve seat is narrowed, the vapor pressure is increased and pressure at the outlet beneath outlet tube 16 is likewise increased. The low of fuel oil is also decreased by back pres sure. rlhe entire production of vapor and use of fuel is, therefore, regulated by this one adjustment through the lever 14.. The valve 31 is set at a point of maximum desired flow of fuel oil, but below this point of maximum consumption the use of fuel is entirely controlled by the lever 14, as stated.

In case the oil inlet or vapor outlets should become obstructed, additional oil may be suddenly introduced into the generating chamber 1 by quickly compressing the spring heads 30 in the impact cleaner 2S). Gil, thus suddenly introduced, tends to cleanse the oil inlet and the oil instantly vaporizing produces a large quantity of vapor by suddenly' increasing vapor pressure and tends to dislodge obstructions in the vapor outlet.

The direction ot passage oit air, gases and products of Combustion through the oil burning apparatus is indicated by arrows in Figi ure 6. It is necessary for eticient operation that the top of outlet flue 25 be well above the air inlet 26. No ixedheight can be specilied but several feet of outlet flue is usually required.

I-Iaving thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In apparatus of the kinddescribed, a generator chamber, a fuel oil inlet pipe entering the said generator chamber through a vapor outlet pipe, an oil distributor head on said inlet pipe adapted to discharge oil beyond the edges of the vapor outlet pipe, a vapor control valve consisting of a valve seat on the lower end of said vapor outlet pipe and an adjustable valve seat cup, means for adjusting the said valve seat cup, and an oil cup beneath the said valve seat cup adapted to receive oil overiowing from the generator chamber through the vapor out let tube.

2. In apparatus of the kind described, the combination of a generating chamber having a bottom which slopes downwardly toward the outer edge, tins integrally formed on the lower surface of the generator chamber, a vapor' outlet extending downwardly from the center' of the generating chamber and securely fixed thereto, an oil inlet pipe entering the generating chamber through the vapor outlet, an oil distributor head on said oil inlet, an angular scraper 4head fixed in the center of the upper side of the generator chamber and adapted to engage the upper end of the oil inlet, also adapted to pivotally support the generator chamber, a ribbed collar at the lower end of the vapor outlet adapted to maintain proper spacing between the oil inlet and the vapor outlet pipe, a valve seat formed at the lower end of the vapor outlet pipe, a valve seat cup movably disposed beneath the vapor outlet, means for adjusting the valve seat cup, and an oil cup supported beneath the vapor outlet pipe and adapted to contain fuel for the heating of the generator chamber.

3. In oil burning apparatus, the combination of a generator head, iins integrally formed with said generator head, a removable plug placed in the center ot' the upper portion of said chamber, a pointed angular scraper formed on the under central portion of said plug, a spreader supported by said plug, vapor outlets attached to said generator and adapted to discharge gas below said generator chamber, control valves for regulating the flow of gas from said vapor outlets, means for operating the said control valves, an oil inlet, the upper end of which is engaged by the angular scraper, an impact cleaner placed in said oil line, a uel control valve in said oil line and a cup beneath said burner adapted to receive overflow and to contain fuel tor heating the generator in starting generation.

WILLIAM C. MCKESSON. 

